15 Gangster movies that are the epitome of Crime cinema 

Gangster/Mafia movies are some of the most enticing genres. The allure of wealth, power, fame, glamor, and high-risk lifestyle is high for the audiences. Over the years, many movies have offered a portrait of the inner workings of the mafias and have done an incredible job at reproducing their high-stakes life. Here are 15 such gangster movies that have left their mark in the genre of crime cinema.

1. Scarface (1983)

Starring Al Pacino, Michelle Pfeiffer, and others, this classic crime movie is a remake of the 1932 movie and is based on a novel by Armitage Trail. Directed by Brian De Palma, the movie follows the meteoric rise and fall of Cuban refugee, Tony (Pacino), who becomes a powerful drug lord in Miami, until his world of wealth and power comes crashing down. The film is perfect for those who love a bold and vivacious gangster flick.

2. The Irishman (2019)

Directed by Martin Scorsese, this epic gangster movie brings together heavyweights like Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Al Pacino, and Harvey Keitel. The highly anticipated movie is based on a book by Charles Brandt and follows Frank (De Niro), who is a hitman working for the mobster Russell (Pesci). Frank later rises through the ranks and becomes a part of Jimmy Hoffa’s (Pacino) gang. The stylish movie is full of nostalgia and is a must-watch for lovers of gangster flicks.

3. The Departed (2006)

Based on the Hong Kong movie, Infernal Affairs and the Boston Winter Hill Gang, this crime thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, and others, is directed by Martin Scorsese. Set within Boston, the film explores how the Irish-American gangster, Frank (Nicholson) put Colin (Matt Damon), within the Massachusetts Police Department and how the police assign an undercover agent, Billy (DiCaprio), to infiltrate Frank’s crew. The movie provides a portrait of the Boston mafia scene and is a must-watch.

4. The Godfather (1972)

Any list of mafia movies is incomplete without the inclusion of this iconic gangster movie. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and based on the book by Mario Puzo, this influential movie stars Marlon Brando and Al Pacino, to present the inner workings of the powerful crime family, the Corleones, and the transformation of the youngest son, Michael (Pacino), into a ruthless mafia boss. From the cinematography and acting to the dialogues and action, this one is a masterpiece.

5. Goodfellas (1990)

Directed by Martin Scorsese, this biographical gangster movie features Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and others. Based on the non-fiction book by Nicholas Pileggi, the film covers the classic tale of the rise and fall of a mafia associate, Henry Hill, and is set between the 1950s and 1980s. The film is a highly influential classic and offers a look into the world of the Italian underworld and is full of glamour and action.

6. No Sudden Move (2021)

Starring Don Cheadle, Benicio del Toro, David Harbour, and others, this crime thriller is directed by Steven Soderbergh who lends his own twist to the gangster and mafia genre. The film is set in 1950s Detroit, where a group of criminals are hired to steal a document. But when the robbery goes wrong, the thieves decide to search the one who hired them. This search leads them down a path that exposes the racial tensions in the city.

7. Reservoir Dogs (1992)

A crime drama by Quentin Tarantino, which is also his directorial debut, the film features Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, and others. Tarantino also stars in the movie and it is about a group of diamond robbers whose heist goes wrong. When the police ambush them, they try to find the traitor amongst them. The film is a critically acclaimed independent classic and features many of Tarantino’s tropes like violent crime, and nonlinear plot, which one sees in his later movies.

8. Eastern Promises (2007)

Directed by David Cronenberg, this British-Canadian gangster movie features Naomi Watts, Vincent Cassel, and others. The film focuses on Anna (Watts), who is a Russian-British midwife who helps deliver the child of a teenage girl forced into prostitution, and who dies during childbirth. Anna soon learns that the girl had connections with the Russian Mafia in London and as the gangster comes after her and the baby, Anna must save the both of them. A modern classic with critical acclaim.

9. Widows (2018)

Starring Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Liam Neeson, and others this neo-noir thriller puts women front and center in a mafia movie. Directed by Steve McQueen and based on a British TV series, the movie follows four women in Chicago, who must steal five million dollars from a politician’s home and pay a crime boss after their husbands get killed doing the job. The movie is layered, drama-oriented, and has a unique spin on the male-dominated gangster movies.

10. The Untouchables (1987)

With a cast like Kevin Costner, Sean Connery, and Robert De Niro, and helmed by the legendary director of crime Brian De Palma, this is a classic gangster movie. Inspired by the book by Ness and Oscar Fraley, it revolves around Eliot (Costner), who forms a menacing team of the titular name to bring Al Capone (De Niro) to justice. The film is set during the prohibition and blends police procedural and thrilling sequences for a gritty result.

11. City of God (2002)

Directed by Fernando Meirelles and Katia Lund, this Brazilian crime movie is based on the novel by Paulo Lins and depicts real-life events. The film is told from the perspective of a photographer who witnesses organized crime in the favela of Cidade de Deus of Rio de Janeiro. Set between the 1960s to 1980s, the film is one of the most influential international movies that offers a raw depiction of the mafia world.

12. Tokyo Drifter (1966)

This classic Japanese movie directed by Seijun Suzuki belongs to a genre of yakuza movies that revolves around Japanese organized crime syndicates. When yakuza boss Kurata ends his criminal empire, his enemy, Otsuka, offers Kurata’s go-to person, Phoenix, a position. But the loyal hitman declines and must now pay with his life as Otsuka sends an assassin to kill him. The stylish movie has themes of loyalty and is a classic in world cinema.

13. Casino (1995)

Starring Sharon Stone, Robert De Niro, and others, this crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese is based on the non-fiction book by Nicholas Pileggi. The movie follows Sam (De Niro), who is a Jewish-American gambling expert and is asked by the Chicago mafia to handle their casino in Las Vegas. But with the changing times, Sam finds himself facing difficulties in the operation of the casino, the interference by the mafia, and his gradual fall. A 1990s classic.

14. Léon: The Professional (1994)

Directed by Luc Besson, this French action thriller features Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, and the debut of Natalie Portman. The movie revolves around the hitman Léon (Reno), who takes in a young girl, Mathilda (Portman) after her family is killed by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The two form an unlikely bond as Mathilda soon learns the tricks of the trade from Léon. The film is set amidst the world of mafia and is a must-watch.

15. Mean Streets (1973)

Starring gangster-movie veteran Robert De Niro, along with Harvey Keitel and Amy Robinson, this crime drama is one of the earliest gangster films by director Martin Scorsese. The film centers around the ambitious Charlie (Keitel), an Italian-American who wants to rise in the world of mafia but also has to deal with his friend and girlfriend, who are dependent on him. The movie has themes of guilt, faith, police corruption, and crime. An acclaimed classic.